Attorney wants to move trial

OPELIKA, Ala. -- An attorney for a Montgomery man accused of killing three people in a shooting at a party near Auburn University said Thursday she will ask that his trial be held outside of Lee County, where the school is located.

Hundreds of those hit hard by the shootings that killed two former football players gathered on a campus lawn later in the day for a candlelight vigil for the victims. The first candle was lit by Auburn player Eric Mack, who was wounded in the shooting. He was joined by many of his teammates.

Auburn students, athletes and family of the shooting victims gathered for a candlelight memorial on Thursday in Auburn, Ala. AP Photo/Todd J. Van Emst

Earlier in the day, attorney Susan James said she was worried it would be difficult for Desmonte Leonard, 22, to receive a fair trial in Lee County because the slain included the two former players, and a current player also was injured.

"We need to get the trial out of Lee County. There's so much interest in that there," James said.

James was one of three attorneys appointed Thursday to represent Leonard when he said he couldn't pay for his defense. Leonard faces three counts of capital murder and two assault charges in the shootings that apparently occurred after a fight over a woman.

He is being held without bond.

James helped Leonard turn himself in Tuesday after an intense three-day manhunt. She said she picked him up at an undisclosed location about 50 miles from Montgomery. She said she and Leonard talked on the way back to Montgomery, but she could not disclose much of what they talked about because of attorney-client privilege.

"He told us his side of the story," she said. "He said, 'People that know me know how I am.' "

At his hearing, Leonard wore blue jeans and a black T-shirt. He was shackled at his hands and feet during the brief appearance.

"Do you understand the charges against you?" Lee County District Judge Russell Bush said.

"Yes sir," Leonard said.

There were several dozen spectators in the courtroom, including a group that appeared to be Leonard's family and friends.

Killed were former Auburn players Edward Christian, who had to quit the team because of a lingering back injury and Ladarious Phillips, who was transferring to Jacksonville State to play. Also slain was Demario Pitts, 20.

Current Auburn football player Eric Mack and Xavier Moss were both treated and released from a hospital. The third person hurt, John Robertson, was in the hospital with a gunshot wound to the head.

At the vigil, student organizer and former softball player Morgan Murphy said emotions were raw.

"We would have never guessed that anything like this would happen," said Murphy. "People are in a delicate state."

Leonard was taken Thursday from the Montgomery County Jail to Opelika for the hearing, but James said he will be taken back to Montgomery. She said he feels safer in the Montgomery lockup.

Auburn University spokesman Mike Clardy said there will be a candlelight vigil on the lawn of Samford Hall at 8 p.m. Thursday.

Meanwhile, a teenager accused of hindering prosecution in the Leonard case pleaded guilty to manslaughter in a separate case in Montgomery.